Interlocking mechanism for voting-machines and similar structures.



J. H. MCELROY- INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR VOTING MACHINES AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES.

1,141,645. APPLICATION FILED JULY I3, I904. Patentefl-June L 191;

d wowo misoiowofi? Ha M052 3 SHEETSSHEET I.

THE NORRIS PETERS CD), FHDTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, D. c.

f Elllllllll 7 3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Patented June 1, 1915.

J H. McELROY.

APPLICATION FILED IULY13, I904.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTG-LITHOH WASHING TON. D. c

INTERLOCKING MECHANISMFOR VOTING MACHINES AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES I. H. IVIcELROY.

INTERLOCKING MECHANISM FOR VOTING MACHINES AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY I3, I904.

Patented J me 1, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

IIIIIIIII an I Q) III;

jgmwip Uji JOHN HOWARD MGELROY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

INTERLGCKING MECHANISM FOR VOTING-MACHINES AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

original application filed September 2, 1899, Serial No. 729,274. Divided and this application filed July 13, 1904. Serial No. 216, 309.

To aZZ T072077? it may concern:

lie it known that I, JOHN Howiiiin MOEL- nor. a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Interlocking Mechanism for Voting-Machines and Similar Structures, of which the following is a specilication.

My present invention is concerned with a novel interlocking or key stop, or key-arrester mechanism designed primarily for voting machines, but which may be used wherever it is desired to limit the number of a series of members that may be operated J Jltaneously.

llitlmroo, so as I am aware, all int-erlockii mechanisms have been mainly mechanical, and in order to secure a construc lion in which the rows of keys might be readily changed from a series of singlc candidate groups to a multi candidate group, complicated mechanism was required. In my in'iproved construction I confine a body of fluid, preferably some heavy, non volatile oil, in reservoir of limited capacity, into which the keys pass when they are operated so as to take up all the space in the I'GSBB'YOll not occupied by the fluid, and thus prevent the operation of more than the desired number of keys. In the singlecandidate rows, the reservoir will be filled so as to leave only space enough to permit the operation of a single key, whereas in the iinulti-candidate groups, which I conveniently form by connecting together several single-candidate rows, enough of a vacant space is l at to permit of the operation of p ed number of keys for that group and no more. By employing stop-cock, or other similar connections between the adi t singie-candiuate rows or reservoirs, he read' seen that I am enabled to adjust the machine for any desired grouping with no changes in the. mechanism, and

i very slight changes in the arrangement of the The capacity of the reservoirs is also made adjustable so as to provid for taking up any liquid, and also to i :ate and ahrlute adjustment. nvention is further concerned with a ement of interlocking mechanism, whereby single-candidate groups can be changed readily into multi -candidate groups and vice vcrsa, so that the machine can be readily arranged as may be necessary for different elections. My invention in this aspect consists of a plurality of channels or guides or supports extending in the same direction and containing or supporting limiting means, whether liquid or solid, and each ordinarily adapted for a single oiiice, but connected by cross channels or supports through or upon which the limiting means may pass or in or upon which they may reciprocate when the cross channels or supports are opened or connected, as they are when a plurality of the parallel channels or supports are connected to make a multi-candidate group.

To illustrate my invention, I annex hereto three sheets of drawings, in which the same reference characters are used to desigate identical parts in all the figures, of w hi ch Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through one form of the interlocking mechanism, showing the arrangement of the parallel and transverse channels and the stop cocks; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. t is a vertical section on. the line AA of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a front elevation, with the keys in section, showing one feature of my invention as applied to a system in which balls are used in place of the fluid; Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a portion of the interlocking mechanism in a modification; Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional View of the same modification; Fig. 8 is a sectional View on the line BB of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view through another modifi .ation; Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view on the line C(l of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a front elevation in section on various planes, showing the same modification; Fig. 12 is a rear elevation of a structure containing still another modification; Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view on the line DD 0f Fi 12; and Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional View on the line E-E of Fig. 13.

In Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings of the present application, which is a division of my application No. 7292M, filed September 9', 1899, I show the form of interlocking mechanism embodied in the aforesaid application. At either end of the mechanism, which will be inclosed in a casing (not shown) is a vertical, preferably metallic, column 90, the cross sections of the two columns difllering slightly, as shown in Fig. 2, although having the same general shape and purposes, the cross sections having been shown as differing for reasons connected with the other mechanism of the machine not concerned with the present application. The main portions of these columns 20 are rectangular and have running through them the tubular channel 21, which at the top is conveniently reamed or otherwise flared out into the conical shaped opening 22, into which the heavy mineral oil, glycerin, or whatever fluid is employed, is poured when the-reservoirs are ready to be filled. Between these columns 20 are located a number of-preferably parallel vertical columns 28, the number of these columns corresponding to the number of the parties for which the machine is arranged, and these columns 23 are also preferably metallic, and have bored or cast into the front face thereof the preferably circular apertures 24, the depth of which is best shown in Fig. 1-. Drilled or bored directly through these apertures are the holes 25, which are screw-threaded, and are arranged to have small pipes 26, which can be conveniently constructed of small gas pipe, screwed therein, the ends of the pipes having right and left hand screw threads to permit of the ready assembling of the parts. Opposite these holes 25 in the columns 23 are the holes 27 in the columns 22, and the ends of the outer tubes 26 are screwed into these apertures, which have their outer ends closed by the screw-threaded plugs 28, which have the squared ends, or some such construction, by which they can be readily manipulated to increase or diminish the capacity of the reservoir formed by each horizontal row of the pipes 26 and the apertures 24. lnterposed between each of the holes 2'? and intercepting the tubular channel 21 are the stop cocks 29, which can be adjusted, as will be readily seen from Fig. 1, so as to connect as many series of pipes as may he desired. By reference to Figs. 1, 3 and 4-, it will be seen that the first and second series of pipes are separated from each other and from the rest of the pipes by the position of the stop cocks 29, and these two rows of pipes would correspond to the two rows of single-candidate keys. The third, fourth and fifth rows of pipes are all connected by the position of the intermediate stop cocks 29, so that the fluid in this set of pipes can circulate freely in all three of them, so that it is immaterial whether one key in each horizontal row is pressed in or three keys in one horizontal row. These three rows of pipes would cor respond to a multicandidate group in which three of the candidates presented were to be elected, such as the school trustees in this State. The last two rows of pipes that are shown in these figures are entirely disconnected from each other and from any other sets of pipes by the way their stop cocks 29 are turned, and this will also he used for two single-candidate rows or keys. The keys 30 are shown as of a generally square shape in cross section, although their shape is immaterial, and terminate in a shoulder 31 formed by cutting the end of the key down to form the screw-threaded portion 32, upon which is screwed the cylindrical piston 33, which fits somewhat snugly into a cup 34, which is screwed into the aperture 2%. This cup is formed by boring nearly through a short cylinder, and the base of the cup is cut through with a square opening which permits the passage of the body portion of the key 30, but prevents it from turning, if such an arrangement is desired. A metallic washer 35 is placed directly against the shoulder 31 inside of the cup, and a packing ring or washer 36, of leather, rubber, or similar suitable material, is interposed between the washer and the piston, and the piston is screwed onto the portion 32 so tightly as to expand the packing so as to make a very close fit, and absolutely pre vent any of the oil from leaking out of the reservoirs. l s hen the key is in its outermost or unoperated position, as shown in Fig. 4c, the space shown in dotted lines is filled by the oil, but when the key is pushed in, the piston. 35 occupies this space, thus forcing the oil out to fill up the vacant space, which will, of course, be at the top of the apertures 24. The piston being smaller in diameter than the aperture, it will be apparent that when the key is pushed in, the oil can flow around the piston so as to adjust itself in any manner that may be necessary, especially in the multi-candidate groups. 1 preferably shape the end of the piston so that when the key is pushed into its op rated position it. will fit squarely against the rear side of the aperture so as to prevent the hydrostatic force of the oil, which might be a serious matter in a large multi candidate group, from pressing against the end of the piston and tending to force it back to its unoperated position.

When these parts are assembled and it is desired to fix up the machine for the various singlecandidate and multi-candidate groups, the lowest two stop cocks 29 are turned to the position shown in the figures, and as many keys are pushed in in each group as are intended. to be operated therein, and all the other stop cocks are turned so as to make the channels 21 open all the way through eX- cept where they are closed by the lowest cocks 29. The oil is then poured in at one of the funnel-shaped ends 22, and the air escaping out of the other end, the oil will settle itself on a level all through the reservoirs until they are completely filled. VVhen they are thus filled, the stop cocks will turn as may be necessary to make the desired grouping, and so far as the mechanism un der consideration is concerned, the machine is ready for operation. Of course, before the election, it is tested carefully, and if any of the keys work too hard, or more than the required number of keys can be pressed in, the plugs 28 are screwed out or in, as the case may be, until the operation of the keys is as perfect as may be desired.

It will be readily apparent that this method of connecting and disconnecting the parallel channels to form multi-candidate groups may be applied to machines other than those in which the vote limiting means is fluid. In Fig. 5, I have illustrated how this method may be applied to the interlocking mechanism shown in my application No. 8,568, filed March 12, 1900. In this machine, a continuous channel 37 is employed, which is adapted to be filled by steel balls 38, which fit therein snugly enough to fill the channel and yet permit of their ready movement therein under the force of gravity. Cooperating with the channel 37 are the keys 39, which, as they are moved to operative position, serve to introduce an extra ball into the channel, or remove one from the channel as they are moved to inoperative position. The details of this cmistruction are not herein illustrated, and reference is had to the aforesaid application No. 8,568 for a full illustration of the same.

At suitable points in the curved connecting portions which connect the alternate ends of the channels, I locate the apertures 41, and at points where the channels are to be divided into single-candidate groups, the U-shaped wire 42, having a cross section of a suitable shape to fit the apertures ll, is inserted into the channel far enough to prevent the balls passing that point. By this means it will be apparent that the channel may be di ided into sin gle-candidate or multi-candidate groups, as may be desired.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, I have illustrated another moditication of my invention, which modification was originally shown and claimed in my application No. 13,157, filed April 16, 1.900. In this form the interlocking mechanism consists of the pair of vertical end pieces or posts 43, similar to the parts 90 of the first application. These are provided with the funnel-shaped openings 44 at the ends, opening into the small vertical channels 45 extending therethrough. These are connected by the intermediate tubes 46,, which correspond in number to the horizontal rows of keys or the oflices to be filled. These tubes have placed just inside of them the thin rubber tubes 47, and the ends of both the outer and inner tubes are closed by the connections 48, which consist of the central circular flange having the tubular end l9 projecting into the inside of the rubber tube 47, which is cemented or otherwise secured thereto so as to form a fluid-tight oint. The other reduced tubular end is screw-threaded into the horizontal apertures 51, which extend through the columns 43, the other ends of these apertures being closed by the customary screw-thread- Inter iosed between the a )ertures 51 and eX- tenning through the columns 43, are the stop cocks 53, which are arranged to open or close the channel 15 at any point at which such an adjustment may be desired. The tubes 16 have cut into their front sides a series of openings 51, which are of a shape, preferably oval, corresponding to the cross section of the ends of the plugs 55 which normally rest in said openings and in direct contact with the rubber tube t7, which, of course, has no opening therein. It will be apparent that when a key 56 is pushed in, after it has taken up the lost motion between the end of the key and the plug 55, it will force the plug into the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7, in which the rubber is forced in, and the capacity 01% the tube for the fluid which is inclosed therein will be diminished. As this fluid, which is prefer ably a heavy non-volatile oil, such as glycerin, which will not deleteriously affect the rubber, is incompressible, it will be apparent that if the capacity of the tube is limited, only a single key can be depressed in any horizontal row, if the horizontal row lacks only a certain amount of being full. It will be equally apparent that if several rows are connected together, so that the fluid can circulate freely through all of them, as many keys in the group can be depressed as is provided for by the amount of space left in the group which is not filled with oil.

It will be equally apparent that by shifting the positions of the stop cocks any desired arrangement and grouping of the keys can be effected in the same manner as fully explained in connection with the first form described. As some provision must be made for holding the key in against the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid. I have shown it as provided. with the latch 57 pro jecting outsi dc of the casing and having the hook 58 on the end thereof, which is adapted to catch over the lug carried by the frame 60 which carries the register wheels, which are shown. as actuated by the key as it is operated, and unactuated if it is returned before the machine is re-set by releasing the latch from the lug 59 by pressing down the outer end of the latch. lVhen. the voter has made his choice of the candidates. and leaves the machine. the frame (30. is depressed so as to release all the registers from operative engagement with their keys, after which the lugs 59 are released from the latches 58, and all the keys are returned and reset simultaneously by the expansion of the springs 6:2 which surround them and are suitably confined to produce this effect. l l hile l have shown this modification as employed with this particular kind of a key and method of operating a register, it will be understood that the holding of the keys in their operated position might be secured by other means.

In Figs. 9, l0 and 11, I have illustrated a third modification of my invention, which was originally shown and claimed in my application No. 27,371, filed August 20, 1900. In this form, the basis of the interlocking mechanism is a rectangular plate 63, which consists of the web portion of a unif rm thickness throughout he plate except where it is channeled or recessed, as hereinafter specified. Extending horizontally across the plat from near one end of the machine to the other are the channels 65, eX- tending into the surface of the plate, preferably a little over half of the depth of the web portion. 'llhese channels (35, which are preferably equidistant from each other, open into the pair of vertical channels 66, arranged at the and left hand ends of the machine, respectively, the left-hand end column, however, only being shown. Each of them preferably has the flaring mouth 67 at the top of the plate, and extends clear through to the bottom of the plate to permit the discharge of the fluid whenever it may be desired for any purpose. Formed in the web and constituting enlargements, as it were, of the channel 65, are the preferably cylindrical recesses or pockets (38 one for each register key. I preferably provide the plate back of each of the channels with the horizontal rib 69, extending the length of the plate, and serving to strengthen the same, thus permitting me to a thinner web than would otherwise be possible. Directly over the front of this plate 63, I place sheet 70, which may be of leather or some similar flexible material, but which 1 preferably make of india rubber, with sufficient fabric in the body thereof to prevent any stretching, while not interfering with its flexibility. lhe employment of this rubber sheet enables me to form the pockets 71 therein by molding them, more readily than they can be stretched in leather or some other similar substance that is not molded in shape. The pockets 71 are the shape indicated in the cross section thereof in Fig. 9, and are disposed so as to cover the r cesses or pockets 68. Just outside of the sheet 70 is clamped the plate 79., which is preferably cast, and is formed with the recesses 73, which are preferably circular, and open into the pockets T l, which are of the conical shape shown to cooperate with the pockets 71. in the sheet 70 when the pockets are in their outward position, as shown in the lower key of Fig. 10. Of course, it will be understood that the aperture 73 might correspond in size to the recess 68, dispensing with the pocket Tel, but 1 preferably employ this pocket to re lieve the strain that might be placed on the pockets 71 in an endeavor to over-operate the machine. The plate 63 and the sheet 70 are provided with circular bolt holes while the plate 72 is provided with oppositely disposed rectangular apertures 75, through which pass the bolts 76, which have the squared portions 77 cooperating with the apertures to prevent their turning, and which are also provided with the nuts 78 by which the parts may be securely clamped together so as to form the fluid-tight horizontal channels 65 with the enlargements 68 therein connected by the vertical channels 66. In the channels 66, between each of the channels 65, I place the stop cocks 79, which have their turn-button portions 80 con veniently located in the channels formed between the ridges 69, and the tapering cylindrical body portions 81 beingmounted in the correspondingly-shaped apertures formed in the web, the sheet 70 and the plate 72. The reduced cylindrical portion 82 passes through the plate 72, the tightness being regulated by the nut S l which cooperates with the screw-thread 85 on the reduced portion 82, any possible loosening of this nut 84- lz'eing preferably prevented by means of the lock nut 86 cof'iperating with the threaded portion 87 formed on the extreme outer end of the portion 82, the threads of this portion being smaller and having a different pitch, so as to prevent any tendency that the turning of the nut S l might have to loosen the nut 86.

Each of these stop cocks 79 is provided with the customary aperture 88 therethrough, and when it is desired to have all tiehorizontal rows of keys for single candidates, all the stop cocks are turned so as to shut off each of the channels from the adjacent ones; while when it is desired to group any of the channels for multi-ca'ndidate groups, the stop cocks are turned so that the openings 88 form a continuation of he channels 86, uniting as many of the horizontal rows as may be desired. To further insure the tightness of this structure, I preferably hollow out the outer surface of the plate 63, except immediately adjacent the channels 65 and G6, and the recesses 68, so as to leave a ridge 89 surrounding all these parts, and operating when the parts are clamped together to take into the surface of the sheet 70 more than would be possible if the surface between the channels 65 were plain. When the parts are thus clamped together by means of the bolts 76, which are used freely, it will be seen that a very strong, fluid-tight structure is produced, and one that can be manufactured cheaply, as the plates 63 and 72 can be cast from patterns, and their opposite faces planed down until they are perfectly smooth and serve to operate with great certainty in forming the fluid-tight channels.

At suitable distance in front of the plate 72, I locate a partition 90, through which, as well as through the front plate, pass the keys 91. These keys consist of the cylindrical portion 92 and the extension 93, which is substantially cylindrical except as hereinafter noted, the shoulder 91 between these portions serving partly as a stop and cooperating with the cushioning pads 95 which are interposed between said shoulder and the rear of the partition 90 to cushion the return of the keys, which is effected by the helically-coiled expanding springs 96 surrounding the cylindrical portion of the keys, each one having its inner end secured to the key, preferably by passing through the body of the cylindrical portion 92, while the other end projects into a small aperture 97 formed in the face of the cup 7 1. The inner end of the cylindrical portion 92 fits into the opening 7 3, and normally rests against the outer portion of the pocket 71.. VJ hen the key is pushed in, it reverses the position of the pocket 71, and this reversal of the position of the pocket 71 necessarily diminishes the capacity of the pocket 68, so that if the channel 05 has just sufiicient fluid to completely fill the channel when one key is pushed in, it will be apparent that another key cannot be pushed in while any key in the same channel remains in its operated position. Means to be subsequently described, are provided for holding the key in its operated position, and the filling of the channels at the beginning of the operation of the machine is the same as for the other forms. To provide for adjusting the quantity of fluid as may be found necessary from time to time, I employ an adjusting key 98, which consists of a cylindrical portion corresponding in every detail, except the employment of the spring, to the pertions 92 of the regular keys, but instead of the continuation 93, it is provided with a sc1.'ew-threaded portion 99 which passes through a screw-threaded aperture 100 in the partition 90, and is provided outside of said partition with the handle 101, by which the key can be turned as may be desired. It will be apparent that as the key is turned in one direction, the pocket 71 with which .it cooperates will be forced inward, whereas when it is turned in the other direction it will. be allowed to expand outward, thus forming a simple and efficient means for making minute adjustments of the quantity of the fiuid, if the same were found necessary, which may sometimes occur with the multi-candidate groups. To permit access to these regulating keys, I will provide a door constituting a part of the front plate, which will be provided with a lock to prevent unauthorized access thereto.

The portions 93 of the keys extend out through the face plate 102 through an aperture 105 therein, and are provided with an annular operating lug 106, which has the inclined surfaces forming annular notches 107, on either side thereof, and beyond these notches 107 are the annular plane delay surfaces 108, these surfaces 108 constituting parts of the generally cylindrical portions of the key. Directly beneath the keys in he normal position of the register frame 103 is the Geneva stop wheel 109, which is provided with the notches 110 and the delay surfaces 111, such as are customary in this class of devices, to cooperate with the lug 106 and the delay surfaces 108, respectively, of the key. By reference to Fig. 10 it will be seen that as the key is pushed in, the lug 106 cooperating with one of the notches 110 will cause the disk 109 to be rotated through 72 while at the same time looking it securcly from operation except by means of the key. It will also be apparent that if the key is retracted while the parts are in this position, the wheel 109 will be moved back through some distance, thus canceling the previous actuation. The register frame 103 carries the short shaft 112 having the Geneva stop wheel 109 at one end and the gear pinion 113 at the other end. This pinion meshes with a gear pinion 111 having twice the number of teeth, which is secured upon the units registering wheel 115, and these will be connected with the remaining wheels of the train in any customary man ner, such as the ordinary Geneva stopcarrying mechanism, which is capable of operating in either direction.

To lock a registering key in its operated position, while at the same time leaving it so that it can be released by the voter, if he desires, I employ a vertical rod 116, one for each party column for keys, and these rods have spring latches 117 opposite each of the keys. To cooperate with this latch I form on the key, preferably just inside of the front plate 102, so as to abut against it in the unoperated position of the keys, the annular lug 118, which has its front side ver tical, while its rear side is beveled so as to cooperate with the beveled portion of the latch 117 to force it back as the key is pushed in. After'the key is pushed in to its operative position, the latch springs into place behind the ringer collar 118, and serves to hold the key in its inner position. To permit of the key being released, I cut away a portion of the collar 118, as seen at 119 in Fig. 9, preferably on the opposite side of the key from that normally engaged by the latch, so that the key will have to be turned substantially 180 before it can be released, although it will be understood that it might be arranged to turn a less distance. The returning spring for the key, being secured at both ends, normally tends to hold the key in the angular position shown, in which the cut-away portion 119 is directly opposite the latch, and when the key is released the returning spring not only throws the key to its outer position, but shifts its angular position until it returns to the normalposition, in which it will be caught it the key is again pressed in. It will be apparent-that with the construction employed, in which the operating lug 106 extends all the way around the key, no matter what position the key may, be in when it is returned, the operating lug will be in engagement with the disk 109', and the register will be unoperated if the key isreturned other than by the lowering of the frame the voter leaves the booth, It will beapparent that as the rods 116 are journaled in the register frame, they will descend with the frame, and the keys will be released from the'latches so to return under stress of the springs when the machine is re-set.

The operation of the device will. be readily apparent: If the operator should push in the'wrong key, and wish to release it, or if he should push in all the keys in any party column by the straight-ticket mechanismshown in my aforesaid application No. 13,157, and desire to retract some of the keys in order to scratch the candidates represented thereby, all that is necessary is to turn the key in either direction through 180 so as to release its'colla'r 118 from the latch 117 when the key will be returned to its unoperated position, and. the disk 109 still being, in its position and engagement with the key, the register will be, operated backward one space, and, the one vote that was counted for that candidate as the key was pushed in willbe erased. When the voter has arranged all the keys to suit him, he leaves the booth, and as he leaves the booth the register frame is lowered, by mechanism not shown, a sufficient distance so that all of the latches 117 are carried out of engagement with the col lars 118, and the springs 96 then return all the keys automatically to their operative position. It will be apparent from this construction that while the voter can change his vote man way that he may desire, itwill be impossible for him to repeat a vote, as every time, an operated key is returned, the vote is counted off, and it is only by leaving thebooth that the keys are returned without retracting the registers.

To provide for the limited franchise found n someStates, where some voters can vote only for certain oilices, as in Illinois, where the women can vote for the three State Unir for whom she is not out versity trustees, I utilize the vertical shafts or rods 116 and provide on each of them an additional. set of latches 120, similar to the latches 11?, and corresponding only to the otlices for which the persons having a limited franchise are entitled to vote; and it will be apparent that if the shafts 116 are turned so as to bring the latches 120 ad jacent the keys and in operative relation with the collars 118, the voter occupying the booth can vote only for the candidates for the offices to which she is entitled to vote, as if she presses in the keys for the candidates for whom she is not entitled to vote, the absence of the latches 120 corresponding to these candidates will prevent the keys from being held in, and the springs96 will return them to their inoperative position as soon as she lets go of them, so that it will be impossible for her to vote for candidates led to vote. 'Means will. be provided for shifting all ofthe shafts 11G simultaneously in any desired manner.

In Figs. 12, 13 and 14., 1 show a preferred modification similar to the last one, in which, however, I make provision for having a large relative oisplacement of the fluid, and one in which the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid is employed to hold the keys in their operated (r unoperated positions 'ln'this form the casting 121 is provided with the customary circular pockets 122 in its face, and the pockets of each horizontal row are connected by the channel 123 extending entirely across the plate and preferably interiorly located, instead of being on the surface as in the previous form. These channels open into the sides of the pockets, and the plungers 12 1 are of such a size that with the pockets 125 of the diaphragm 126 they completely fill the pockets 122 when they areop'erated, as seen at the left-hand end of Fig. 14: and the bottom of Fig. 13, thereby completely closing the channel at that point. The hydrostatic pressure of th fluid is, as will be seen, against the sides of the pocket and the head 124 when the key 197 has been operated, and serves to hold the key in its operated position; and it will be equally apparent that the hydrostatic pressure when the keys are unoperated will serve to hold them in their outward position. To permit the fluid to move past the operated'keys and prevent the channel being entirely shut off, I employ some by passconstruction around each pocket, such as can be made by using the parallel channel 123 back of the channel 123and the cross chan nels 129 between each pair of pockets and between the end pockets and the vertical channels 130, which connect all the horizontal channels 123' at the ends, and are provided with the customary stop cocks 131 and the adjusting screws 132. The dia phragm is held in place by the plate 133,

which has the pockets or recesses 13 1 therein, of the proper size to receive the pockets 1525 of the diaphragm when the keys thereof are unoperated. Another plate 136 is preferably employed, having the cylindrical pockets 137 therein, concentric with the pockets 134 and of the correct size to receive the piston 121 of the keys. Finally, another plate 138 may be added, having the apertures 139 therein of the correct size and cross section to accommodate the stems of the keys 127. These various plates 121, 133, 136 and 138 will be clamped together with bolts 1-10 the same as in the previously described construction, although it will be apparent that the three plates 133, 136 and 13S might be consolidated, although the separate construction will he found to be cheaper. In order to aid in forming the airtight closure of the pockets, the face of the plate 121 is preferably cut away, as shown at 141, in order to produce a series of ridges about the pockets 122, as fully described in connection with the previous modification. lVith the last described construction, it will be apparent that an extremely simple, effective and accurate interlocking mechanism is secured, inasmuch as there is a large relative displacement of the limiting means, 27. 6., theoil or glycerin, at each operation of a key, and one in which the key will be held in its operated position without any additional mechanism. It will also be apparentthat if any key is erroneously operated it can be withdrawn, and another key substituted.

I am aware that prior to my present invention, an interlocking mechanism has been produced, employing a sliding block primary mechanism for each oilice column of keys, and a secondary transverse interlocking mechanisn'i consisting of a series of suitably guided blocks which could be released or held for movement, as desired, and which were sop; rated by spear-heads pivotall y connected to the ends of the uppermost primary interlocking blocks by shanks. The appara tus while practical for very small groups, was found to be impractical for very large groups for the reason that if any very large group of all the keys that could be voted, instead of being distributed substantially uniformly throughout the oilice rows, were in voting concentrated at one end of the group for instance (as might occur in actual use and as would inevitably occur if the machine were being tested by an opponent skilled in. the art,) it was found that more keys could be operated than the group provided for, because some of the shanks would be swung far from their vertical positions that their spear-heads did not separate the secondary blocks as much as they should. As a result, this interlocking mechanism was displaced in actual use by its owners by another radically different form. This difficulty does not occur in my device as the in terlocking means which move to exactly the same extent in groups of any size whether the keys operated are uniformly distrilnited throughout the group or concentrated at one end. Consequently my invention, is not to be interpreted as covering such a structure as that above described.

\Vhile I have herein shown and described my invention as embodied in the form which. I at present consider best adapted to carry out its purposes, it will be understood that it is capable of modifications, and that I do not desire to be limited in the inteipretation of the following claims except as may be necessitated by the state of the prior art.

IV hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,-

1. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation or more than a certain number of keys, the combination with a fluid-tight reservoir having a certain capacity for a fluid, of a series of push keys whose ends in one position pass into the reservoir to diminish the capacity of the reservoir for the fluid when a key is operated as compared with its capacity when the key is unoperat'ed.

2. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, the combination with a fluid-tight res ervoir having a certain capacity for a fluid, said reservoir having series of cylinders opening therein, 01' a series of movable keys cooperating therewith and provided with pistons operating in said cylinders to diminish the capacity of the reservoir for the fluid when a key is operated as compared with its capacity when the key is unoperated, said pistons being rigidly connected with and constituting parts of said keys.

3. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, the combination with a fluid-tight res ervoir having a certain capacity for a fluid, of a series of movable keys cooperating therewith, connections between said keys and a reservoir whereby a key in one position diminishes the capacity of the reservoir for the fluid as compared with its capacity when the key is in the other position, and means other than the keys for regulating the capacity of the reservoir comprising one or more screw-threaded bolts which pass into said reservoir.

4. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, the combination with a plurality of fluid-tight reservoirs having a certain capacity for a fluid, of corresponding plural series of movable keys cooperating therewith, connections between each series of said keys and its associatedreservoir whereby a key in one position diminishes the capacity of the reservoir for the fluid as compared with its capacity when the key is in another position, and means for connecting and dis connecting adjacent reservoirs at will to or ganize single-candidate and multi-candidate groups as may be desired, comprising two channels between each parallel adjacent reser oir located at the ends thereof, and a stop cock located in each of said channels to open or close it as may be desired, the channels at one end serving to permit the entrance of the fluid to the reservoirs while the other serves to permit the escape of the air therefrom.

5. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, the combination with a fluid-tight reservoir having a certain capacity for a fluid, of a series of push keys whose ends pass into the reservoir and against the wall thereof when in their operative position, to diminish the capacity of the reservoir for the fluid as compared with its capacity when the key is unoperated.

6. In a voting machine, the combination with the suitably supported keys arranged in office rows or columns, of an interlocking mechanism comprising a stationary frame having corresponding main rows or columns of guiding mechanism for a movable limiting means, and a transverse row or column connecting the main rows, likewise adapted for a movable limiting means, the main rows r columns of said guiding mechanism having a greater length than the distance be tween the end keys of the rows or columns, so that said mechanism for one column or row can be joined with that of another column or row beyond the keys by the transverse row or column, uniform limiting means in said guiding mechanism adapted to pass into any part thereof and to be actuated by the operation of the associat d keys and adapted to be moved in said transverse row varying distances, and stops to limit the movement of the limiting means in the transverse row to limit the total number of keys that may be operated in the group,

7. In a voting machine, the combination with the suitably supported k ys arranged in office rows or columns, of an interlocking mechanism comprising a stationary frame having corresponding main rows or columns of guiding mechanism for a movable limiting means, and a transverse row or column connecting the main rows, likewise adapted for a movable limiting means, the main rows or columns of said guiding mechanism having a greater length than the distance between the end keys of the rows or columns, so that said mechanism for one column or row can be joined with that of another column row beyond the keys by the trans verse row or column, uniform limiting means in said guiding mechanism adapted to pass into any part thereof and to be actuated by the operation of the associated keys, and adapted to be moved in said transverse row varying distances, and stops in said transverse row or column between the main rows which can be thrown out of or into action to permit of or prevent the trans verse movement of the limiting means to arrange the keys for multi-candidate or single candidate voting, as desired.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with the pockets, of the main channel connecting said pockets, the flexible covering for said pockets, the keys adapted to fill the pockets when operated, and bypasses about said pockets connected to the main channel.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with the frame having the diaphragm centrally located therein, of the pockets opposite y disposed on either side of said diaphragm, flexible portions of said diaphragm adapted to conform to either of the pockets, the main channel connecting said pockets and one side of the diaphragm, the keys adapted to fill the pockets on the one side when operated, and by-passes about said pockets connected to the main channel.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with the base piece having the pockets arranged in rows corresponding to the oflices and the channels connecting the pockets in said rows, and the by-passes about said pockets, of the flexible covering for said pockets, a plate on the other side of the covering from the base piece provided with pockets of the same size as the pockets in the base piece, and means for holding the base piece, flexible covering and plate, for the purpose described.

11. In adevice of the class described, the combination with the base piece having the pockets arranged in rows corresponding to the offices, channels connecting said pockets, and by-passes in said channels about the pockets, of a flexible covering forsaid pocle ets, a plate having apertures therein of the same size as the pockets, keys adapted to fit in the pockets when operated, a plate to receive and position the keys, and means for holding said base piece, flexible covering and plates firmly together, for the purpose described.

12. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, a fluid-tight reservoir consisting of the plate having the horizontal channels therein and the pockets or reservoirs con-' nected thereby, the sheet covering said plate and having the portions thereof over said pockets flexible, the outer plate covering said sheet and having apertures opposite said pockets, means for securing said plates and the interposed sheet together, and an independently movable member, as a key, cooperating with each pocket.

13. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, a fluid-tight reservoir consisting of the plate having the horizontal channels therein and the pockets or reservoirs connected thereby and a narrow ridge formed on the edges of the channels and pockets, the sheet covering said plate and having the portions thereof over said pockets flexible, the outer plate covering said sheet and having apertures opposite said pockets, means for securing said plates and the interposed sheet together, and an independent movable member, as a key, cooperating with each pocket.

11. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, a fluid-tight reservoir consisting of the plate having the horizontal channels therein and the pockets or reservoirs connected thereby and the vertical channel connecting said horizontal channels, the stop cocks in said vertical channel between the horizontal channels, the sheet covering said plate and having the portions thereof over said pockets flexible, the outer plate covering said sheet and having apertures opposite said. pockets, and means for securing said plates and the interposed sheet together.

15. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, a fluid tight-reservoir consisting of the plate having the horizontal channels therein and the pockets or reservoirs connected thereby and the vertical channel connecting said horizontal channels, the stopcocks in said vertical channel between the horizontal channels, and a narrow ridge formed on the edges of the channels and pockets, the sheet covering said plate and having the portions thereof over said pockets flexible, the outer plate covering said sheet and having apertures opposite said pockets, and means for securing said plates and the interposed sheet together.

16. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, a fluid-tight reservoir consisting of the plate having the horizontal channels therein and the pockets or reservoirs connected thereby, the sheet covering said plate and having the portions thereof over said pockets flexible, the outer plate covering said sheet and having apertures opposite said pockets, and bolts passing through said sheet and plates between the channels and reservoirs for securing said plates and the interposed sheet together.

17 In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, the combination with a fluid-tight reservoir having a certain capacity for a fluid, of a series of m'ovable keys cooperating therewith, and connections between said keys and the reservoir whereby a key in one position diminishes the capacity of the reservoir for the fluid as compared with its capacity when the key is in its other position, said connections comprising a flexible cover for a portion of said reservoir, with which flexible portion the keys cooperate, substantially as described.

18. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, the combination with a fluid-tight reservoir having a certain capacity for a fluid, of a series of movable keys cooperating therewith, and connections between said keys and the reservoir whereby a key in one position diminishes the capacity of the reservoir for the fluid as compared with its capacity when the key is in its other position, said connections comprising openings within the rigid body of said reservoir, and flexible coverings for said openings with which the keys cooperate, substantially as described.

19. In a device to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than a certain number of keys, the combination with a fluid-tight reservoir having a certain capacity for a fluid, of a series of movable keys cooperating therewith, connections between said keys and the reservoir whereby a key in one position diminishes the capacity of the reservoir for the fluid as compared with its capacity when the key is in its other position, said connections comprising a flexible covering for a portion of said reservoir, with which flexible portion the keys cooperate substantially as described, and means for holding said keys in their operated position.

20. In a voting machine, the combination with the keys arranged in office rows or col umns and in transverse party rows or col umns, of the rows of interlocking means corresponding to the office rows and moved by the movement of the keys in said rows, a transverse row of interlocking means the same as the office-row interlocking means and moved by the oflice-row means as the office-row keys are operated, a distance varying exactly with the number of keys operating thereon irrespective of whether operated keys are evenly distributed throughout oflice rows or concentrated at the end of a group, and means for arranging said oflice rows in single or multi-candidate groups, as desired.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of July, 1904.

JOHN HOWARD MOELROY.

Witnesses:

JULIA M. BRISTOL, CHAS. F. WARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). O. 

